Vegan art: animals and plants on the canvas, not in it

Vegan art is art made without animal-derived materials, in the pigments, binders, glues, surfaces, brushes, and finishes. Common animal ingredients in traditional supplies include bone char in black pigment, cochineal insects in carmine red, ox gall in watercolor, rabbit-skin glue in gesso, gelatin in paper sizing, and sable or hog hair in brushes. An artwork's subject does not tell you its materials; only the materials list does.

Vegetarian art usually refers to art about the plant world and food, especially fruit and vegetable still lifes, a tradition that runs from Dutch Golden Age harvest tables to modern kitchen and dining room art. Some people also use it loosely to mean animal-friendly art in general. It is about the subject on the canvas, while vegan art is usually about the materials the work is made from.

We do not claim that. Our artists work in oil, acrylic, colored pencil, ink, and mixed media, and their exact materials vary by artist and by piece, so we will not put a vegan label on work we have not audited. What we can say honestly: every piece is an original by a living artist, and if a specific work matters to you, ask us and we will put the materials question directly to the artist before you buy.

Acrylic is usually the simplest starting point, because its binder is a synthetic polymer rather than egg, milk, or hide glue. The catch is the pigment: bone black is made from charred animal bones in any medium, including acrylic. So check two things: the paint range's own vegan information from the manufacturer, and the specific pigment on the label.

Go to the manufacturer, not the retailer. Most major paint makers publish ingredient or vegan guidance about their own ranges, and that statement is the only reliable source, because formulations change and shops repeat claims secondhand. Treat the maker's statement as their own claim, check the date on it, and when it matters, email the maker about the exact product and batch.

Start with What is vegan art? for the idea, then Animal-derived pigments for the single most useful list in the subject. If you are here to find art for your home, browse original nature paintings and animal paintings, all one-of-a-kind, with free insured shipping and a 14-day trial.